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Mother Sends 6-Year-Old Son to School with HEROIN in His Backpack

Polices sources told the press on Monday that a Queens mother sent her 6-year-old son to school… he had her heroin in his backpack.

The mother was quick to admit to authorities that she had a problem. According to court papers, 36-year-old Leah Pagano was quoted as saying, “I cannot believe I did this,” after she was arrested Friday.

That morning, Pagano’s son arrived at Public School 209 in Whitestone as usual. While in class, he went into his book bag and took out a white box. He showed the box to Grace Molina, his teacher’s aide.

According to court documents, inside the box, Molina found heroin, straws, pills and glassine envelopes. The police were notified, and the mother was called to the school. When Pagano arrived, she was placed under arrest.

“I am the only one who prepares my son’s school bag and lunch,” Pagano told police, according to the papers. “I use heroin. I do not shoot it, but I snort it. I could not find my box with heroin inside.

“I was not sure if it was in his school bag and went to sleep.”

Pagano was charged with misdemeanor drug possession, endangering the welfare of a child and acting in a manner injurious to a child less than 17 years old.

She was released without bail and could not immediately be reached for comment.

A man who answered the phone at her lawyer’s office said the attorney wouldn’t talk about the case.